General Sales, Merchandising at Plymouth State University

An undergraduate certificate in sales from Plymouth State University comes with an estimated debt load of $20,500—half the typical first-year earnings of around $41,000 based on national peer programs. That's actually a manageable ratio compared to many certificate programs, though it's worth noting that sales roles often don't require formal credentials at all, making the return on this specific investment less clear-cut.

The challenge here is that peer programs nationwide show enormous variation in outcomes, with top performers reaching $57,500 while others cluster much lower. Sales success tends to depend heavily on industry, commission structures, and individual performance rather than the credential itself. Many employers in retail, B2B sales, and merchandising prioritize experience and results over certificates, which raises questions about whether $20,500 in debt adds meaningful value to someone's career trajectory versus entering the field directly.

For a parent weighing this option, the key question is whether your child needs structured training to break into sales or could start building experience and industry connections without the debt. If they're switching careers or need confidence-building in a structured environment, the manageable debt-to-earnings ratio provides some cushion. But if they're already comfortable with customer interaction and networking, they might find faster and cheaper paths into sales roles that reward hustle over credentials.